Cheshire Plains

Sky Ride Local in Manchester

You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you’ll need to know your way around a bike and be fairly fit to take part in our Challenging rides. If you’re comfortable riding with other people and fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you. They start at around twenty miles long, and are paced at between 11 and 12 miles an hour.

Explore the beautiful Cheshire Plain on the outskirts of Manchester on this pleasant, 30 mile countryside route.  This ride is mainly flat so ideal for road bikes. Stately homes, places of scientific interest and the famous Jodrell Bank is the order of the day.

Additional Information

Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.
Please bring equipment with you to repair punctures, Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike.
All rides leave at the time stated you must arrive early Ride Leaders will not wait.

Meet the Ride Leaders

• Laurence Moore I've been pretty much a lone cyclist all my adult life and enjoyed the solitude and time for reflection that it's brought. But last year, with no great enthusiasm on my part, our daughter persuaded me to participate in a couple of Skyride events and I enjoyed them that much that I applied for and became a ride leader last December. The events brought home something that I guess I've known for a long time, and that's that if there were enough cyclists around every corner of every road then drivers would have to start noticing us and the roads would be far safer for all. So I see the rides as helping to promote and encourage (and perhaps help with the confidence that's needed for) the greater use of bikes. Bring on the revolution. Please supply your own puncture repair kit and pump though.
• Ian Gent Hi, I'm Ian, I've been a keen cyclist and mountain bike rider for many years. This is my 3rd year as Sky Ride Leader. I've got a good knowledge of the local ride routes. I'm equally happy doing road or trail rides that can be 5 or 50 miles, so can help you to enjoy your Sky ride whatever your level of cycling. Sky riding is about having fun on your bike in a safe environment - so book on to a ride and have a very enjoyable day out
• Michael Bower My love affair with the bicycle started at around the age of eight when I bought my first 2-wheeler from a friend for threepence, however it probably cost my father at least a week’s wages for new components to get it working safely.
  
  During my late teens other issues took over such as work, cars etc. which led to the other things, such as a wife, home and kids.
  
  In my early thirties and with encouragement from my wife to lose a few pounds (stones) my interest towards the bike was rekindled. I began by just doing a few miles locally and eventually took to riding with a club, as I had done in my youth. The wonderful memories of those early years came flooding back.
  
  Riding amongst the thousands of other happy bike riders in the initial Manchester Skyride with my then nine year old granddaughter led to my participation in the Skyride Local events which for me opened up a whole new avenue of extremely enjoyable safely controlled social cycling and the start of many new greatly valued friendships.
  
  Becoming a Skyride Leader has given me the opportunity to welcome and encourage others into the participation and pleasure of safe group cycling, be it a family tootle around the park or a 20 miler through country lanes. It's all great. Please enjoy!
• Peter Falcon I have started cycling again after a few years off and saw the opportunity of being a Ride Leader as a way of making me get out on my bike as well as hopefully getting more people out on their bikes as well. It's also a great way to get fit and lose a few pounds!
  
  I regularly cycle with friends on eveings after work or at weekends. A group of us (18 in total) completed the Coast to Coast bikde ride (or C2C) - over 3 days - riding from Whitehaven to Sunderland in June of 2012. It was a fantastic experience and in doing this we raised over £6000 for a local charity. This year we are planing the Transpennine Trail.
  
  I look forward to meeting you on one of the Sky Rides.